Projection processor and associated method

ABSTRACT

A projection processor includes a receiving circuit and an image processing circuit. The receiving circuit receives an input image. The image processing circuit performs at least one predetermined image processing operation upon the input image to generate an output image, wherein a projection source is generated according to the output image. The projection source is displayed or projected by a projection source component of an electronic device, such that a first cover of a projection display component partially reflects the projection source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/003,260, filed on May 27, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/034,952, filed on Aug. 8, 2014. The entire contents of the relatedapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to image processing, and moreparticularly, to a projection processor and associated method.

BACKGROUND

Devices which can provide customers with high-quality visual effects aredesirable because of the recent progress in multimedia entertainmentsystems. In particular, 3D display technology has been receiving moreattention because of its superior visual effects and vivid images. Forcustomers, using 3D glasses results in an uncomfortable experience, butholographic display is too expensive to be widely acceptable for mostusers.

SUMMARY

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide aprojection processor and associated method applied in the projectionprocessor.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an exemplaryprojection processor is disclosed. The exemplary projection processorincludes a receiving circuit and an image processing circuit. Thereceiving circuit is arranged to receive an input image. The imageprocessing circuit is arranged to perform at least one predeterminedimage processing operation upon the input image to generate an outputimage, wherein a projection source is generated according to the outputimage. The projection source is displayed or projected by a projectionsource component of an electronic device, such that a first cover of aprojection display component partially reflects the projection source.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an exemplaryprojection method employed by a projection processor is disclosed. Theexemplary projection method includes: receiving an input image; andperforming at least one predetermined image processing operation uponthe input image to generate an output image, wherein a projection sourceis generated according to the output image. The projection source isdisplayed or projected by a projection source component of an electronicdevice, such that a first cover of a projection display componentpartially reflects the projection source.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a projection display component of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the projection display componentextended for projection according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a projection processor of an electronicdevice carried by a projection display component according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the image processing circuit of theprojection processor according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a working condition of an image flipengine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image flip operation performed bythe image flip engine according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a working condition of an imagedistortion correction circuit according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a working condition of the imagedistortion correction circuit according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image distortion correctionoperation performed by the image distortion correction circuit accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a working condition of an imagesegmentation engine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a working condition of the imagesegmentation engine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an image segmentation operationperformed by the image segmentation engine according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an image enhancement operationperformed by the image enhancement engine according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data processing system employing theprojection processor according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a photograph application for theprojection processor installed in the data processing system accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a recording application for theprojection processor installed in the data processing system accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a video playback application for theprojection processor installed in the data processing system accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a gaming application for theprojection processor installed in the data processing system accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a gallery application for theprojection processor installed in the data processing system accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims,which refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, electronic equipment manufacturers may refer to a componentby different names. This document does not intend to distinguish betweencomponents that differ in name but not in function. In the followingdescription and in the claims, the terms “include” and “comprise” areused in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean“include, but not limited to . . . ”. Also, the term “couple” isintended to mean either an indirect or direct electrical connection.Accordingly, if one device is coupled to another device, that connectionmay be through a direct electrical connection, or through an indirectelectrical connection via other devices and connections.

Refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating aprojection display component 100 for an electronic device 101 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The sub-diagram (A) of FIG. 1shows a perspective view of the electronic device 101 carried by theprojection display component 100. The sub-diagram (B) of FIG. 1 shows asectional view along line X-X′ of the electronic device 101 and theprojection display component 100 shown in sub-diagram (A). FIG. 2 is adiagram illustrating the projection display component 100 unfolded forprojection according to an embodiment of the present invention. Itshould be noted that the electronic device 101 may be integrated withthe projection display component 100. However, it is not a limitation ofthe present invention. In other embodiments, the electronic device 101may be detachably placed onto a carrier of the projection displaycomponent 100 via physical connection, where the carrier is arranged tocarry the electronic device. The carrier may be part of the electronicdevice 101 or an independent structure other than the electronic device101. To put it simply, the present invention has no limitation on theengagement or integration of the electronic device 101 and theprojection display component 100. Any electronic device using theproposed projection display component falls within the scope of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the projection display component 100 isarranged to place the electronic device 101 and is also a projection setwhen it is unfolded. The projection display component 100 may compriseat least one of a carrier CA, a first cover C1, a second cover C2, abase plate BP and an optical set OS. When the projection displaycomponent 100 is unfolded for projection, as shown in FIG. 2, the firstcover C1 is arranged to partially reflect an image of a projectionsource PS generated from the electronic device 101, such that aprojected image PI may be shown through the first cover C1. In detail,some intensity of the projected image PI may be projected through thefirst cover C1, and some other intensity of the projected image PI maybe reflected by the first cover C1, such that the first cover C1partially reflects the image of the projection source PS. As a result, auser may see the projected image displayed on the first cover C1 orfloating behind the first cover C1. In some embodiments, a display panelof the electronic device 101, such as an LCD panel or any other passiveor active display panel, may be taken as a projection source componentPSC to display the image. In some other embodiments, a solid-state(laser or LED) light or any other type of light source may be taken as aprojection source component PSC to project the image. Accordingly, auser may see the projected image PI displayed on or behind the firstcover C1. The second cover C2 is arranged to adjust an angle between thesecond cover C2 and the electronic device 101, such that a projectiondirection of the projected image PI from the projection source PS to thefirst cover C1 may be adjusted. The base plate BP is arranged to adjusta distance between the first cover C1 and the electronic device 101,wherein the base plate BP is detachable, foldable or extendible. Theoptical set OS may be placed between the first cover C1 and theelectronic device 101. For example, the optical set OS is arranged toredirect a projected direction of the projected image, such that a usermay see the projected image PI with adjusted size displayed on or behindthe first cover C1. It should be noted that the projection displaycomponent 100 shown in FIG. 1 is only an example.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first cover C1, the second cover C2,and the optical set OS may be respectively attached to the base plate BPvia a first hinge set HS1 (which may include one or more hingemechanisms), a second hinge set HS2 (which may include one or more hingemechanisms), and a third hinge set HS3 (which may include one or morehinge mechanisms). Therefore, a first angle between the base plate BPand the first cover C1, a second angle between the base plate BP and thesecond cover C2, or the angle between the second cover C2 and theelectronic device 101 may be adjustable. In some embodiments, but notlimitation, the first hinge set HS1, the second hinge set HS2 or thethird hinge set HS3 may be implemented using magnetic hinge sets, sothat the first cover C1, second cover C2 or the optical set may bedetachable. In some other embodiments, the first hinge set HS1, thesecond hinge set HS2 and the third hinge set HS3 may include any othertype of hinge mechanisms, which should not be limited in thisdisclosure. The optical set or the second cover C2 may be removable.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a projection processor 300 to providean image to an electronic device 101 carried by a projection displaycomponent 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theprojection processor 300 may have a receiving circuit 301 and an imageprocessing circuit 302. It should be noted that only the componentspertinent to the present invention are shown in FIG. 3. In practice, theprojection processor 300 may include additional element(s) to achieveother function(s). The receiving circuit 301 is arranged to receive aninput image II and transmits the input image II to the image processingcircuit 302. For example, the input image II may be a single-view image(e.g., a two-dimensional image) or a multi-view image (e.g., an imagepair of a left-view image and a right-view image, or multiple imagescaptured or generated for different viewing angles of the samescene/object). The image processing circuit 304 is arranged to performat least one predetermined image processing operation on the input imageII to generate an output image OI, wherein the projection source PSshown in FIG. 2 is generated according to the output image OI.

It should be noted that the projection processor 300 may be a processorinstalled within the electronic device 101 and may transmit the outputimage OI via an internal bus of the electronic device 101; however, inother embodiments, the projection processor 300 may be installed withinanother device external to the electronic device 101 and may transmitthe output image OI to the electronic device 101 via wired/wirelesstransmission. Furthermore, the projection processor 300 can be appliedto a 2D image projection application or 3D image projection application,which is not limited in the present invention. These alternative designsshould fall within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the image processing circuit 302 of theprojection processor 300 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing circuit 302 maycomprise at least one of an image flip engine 401, an image distortioncorrection engine 402, an image segmentation engine 403, an imageenhancement engine 404 and a notification circuit 405. It should benoted that this embodiment is for illustrative purposes only. Inpractice, the input image II is not required to be processed in theexact order shown in FIG. 4. The arrangement of the image flip engine401, the image distortion correction engine 402, the image segmentationengine 403 and the image enhancement engine 404 may be adjusted,depending upon the actual design considerations. Further, at least oneof the image flip engine 401, the image distortion correction engine402, the image segmentation engine 403, the image enhancement engine 404and a notification circuit 405 may be omitted, depending upon the actualdesign considerations.

The image flip engine 401 is arranged to perform an image flipoperation. In some embodiments, the image flip engine 401 performs animage flip operation to ensure that an orientation of the projectedimage PI matches an orientation of the input image II. In some otherembodiments, the image flip engine 401 performs an image flip operationto ensure that a user can see the projected image PI shown on or behindthe first cover C1 with a correct orientation. The image distortioncorrection engine 402 is arranged to perform the image distortioncorrection operation to correct an appearance of the projection sourcePS. The image segmentation engine 403 is arranged to perform an imagesegmentation operation and change a background of a segmented image togenerate the projection source PS. The image enhancement engine 404 isarranged to perform an image enhancement operation to adjust abrightness of the projection source PS, a brightness of the backgroundor a contrast of the whole image. The notification circuit 405 isarranged to control the electronic device 101 to show a projectionnotice PN according to the status of at least one of the image flipengine 401, the image distortion correction engine 402, the imagesegmentation engine 403, the image enhancement engine 404, and theprojection display component 100, as the status of the projected imagePI or any other factors may result in a poor user experience.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical set OS ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, two convex lenses L1 and L2are included to form the optical set OS for projection. According tooptical principles of image forming using convex lenses, a user may seethat the orientation of the projected image PI is reversed with respectto the orientation of the projection source PS after projecting throughthe optical set OS. In this case, the image flip engine 401 may flip theprojection source PS (e.g. upside down or reversing left to right) toensure that the orientation of the projected image PI matches theorientation of the input image II. For example, the reverse projectedimage can be detected by a sensor installed on the second hinge set HS2for detecting distances of the lenses. However, it is only forillustrative purpose. In other embodiments, the sensor can be installedon any other place of the projection display component 100 for achievingthe same goal. Once the distances fit the condition of reverse imageformation, the image flip engine 401 flips the projection source PS.More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the projection source PS isreflected by the lens L1 and forms a reflected image RI on the otherside of the lens L1, wherein the reflected image RI is reversed withrespect to the projection source PS due to the projection source PS isdisposed between the focal point f and the twofold focal point 2 f ofthe lens L1. Then, the reflected image RI is reflected by the lens L2and forms the projected image PI, wherein the projected image PI isreversed with respect to the projection source PS as well due to thereflected image RI is disposed in the focal point of the lens L2. Inother embodiments, the detection can be done by other means, such as asensor installed in the base plate BP to detect the distances of thelenses, or a front camera of the electronic device 101 to capture theprojected image PI for analysis. These alternative designs fall withinthe scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, when a usersets the first cover C1 on the wrong side of the electronic device 101causing that a user may see the projected image PI shown on or behindthe first cover C1 with a wrong orientation, the image flip engine 401may flip the projection source PS. Similarly, the detection may be doneby a sensor installed in the first hinge set HS1. However, it is onlyfor illustrative purpose. In other embodiments, the sensor can beinstalled on any other place of the projection display component forachieving the same goal.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image flip operation performed bythe image flip engine 401 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The flow shown in FIG. 6 is described as follows.

-   -   Step 600: Start.    -   Step 602: The user may enable the projection display mode.    -   Step 604: The image flip engine 401 may check if the projection        display component 100 is set correctly. If yes, the flow goes to        step 606; otherwise, it goes to step 610.    -   Step 606: The image flip engine 401 may check if the orientation        of the projected image PI is identical with the input image PI.        If yes, the flow goes to step 612; otherwise, it goes to step        608.    -   Step 608: The image flip engine 401 performs the image flip        operation.    -   Step 610: The notification circuit 405 controls the electronic        device 101 to show the projection notice PN.    -   Step 612: End.

In step 604, if there is an incorrect setting which may cause a failprojection (for example, the optical set OS or the first cover C1 is notattached to the base plate BP), an incorrect setting which may cause thesize of the projected image PI too small or too large, or an incorrectsetting which may cause that the user can not observe the projectedimage PI correctly, the notification circuit 405 may control theelectronic device 101 (particularly, a projection source component PSCof the electronic device 101) to show the projection notice PN fornotifying the user. Provided that the end result is substantially thesame, the steps shown in FIG. 6 are not required to be executed in theexact order shown. For example, the projection notice PN may bedisplayed or projected by the projection source component PSC of theelectronic device 101 after any step in FIG. 6 when a malfunction of theprojection display component 100 or the image processing circuit 302occurs, or any other factor causes a fail projection.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a scenario about a working condition ofthe image distortion correction circuit according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. As shown in the sub-diagram (A) of FIG. 7, asmall-sized lens L1 is used for projection. Therefore, only a portion ofthe projection source PS is projected via the small-sized lens L1, whichcauses a distortion of the projected image PI shown on or behind thefirst cover C1 as shown in the sub-diagram (B) of FIG. 7. In this case,the image distortion correction circuit 402 may correct the appearanceof the projection source PS, such that a user may see an un-distortedprojected image PI, which looks like the original appearance of theprojection source PS, shown on or behind the first cover C1 afterdistortion correction. In detail, the image distortion correctioncircuit 402 may correct at least one of the distorted parts of theprojection source PS (for example, enlarge the upper part of theprojection source PS to a size matching the lower part of the distortedprojected image PI), such that after correction, the projected image PImay look like the original appearance of the projection source PS.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the optical setOS of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the lens L3 included inthe optical set OS is set to a position not parallel with the electronicdevice 101, which causes the size of the projected image PI to besmaller than the desired size. In this case, the image distortioncorrection circuit 402 may enlarge the size of the projection source PSto ensure a projected image PI is perceived by the user with a suitablesize. In other embodiments, any other type of correction may beperformed corresponding to different image distortion, which should notbe limited in this disclosure. In the embodiments of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8,an incorrect setting of the optical set OS causing a distortion of theprojected image PI can be detected by a sensor installed in the secondhinge set HS2. However, it is only for illustrative purpose. In otherembodiments, the sensor can be installed on any other place of theprojection display component for achieving the same goal. Alternatively,the detection can be performed by other means: for example, a frontcamera of the electronic device 101 captures the projected image PI.These alternative designs also fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image distortion correctionoperation performed by the image distortion correction circuit 402according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow in FIG. 9is described as follows.

-   -   Step 900: Start.    -   Step 902: The user may enable the projection display mode.    -   Step 904: The image distortion correction engine 402 may check        if the projection display component 100 is set correctly. If        yes, the flow goes to step 906; otherwise, the flow goes to step        910.    -   Step 906: The image distortion correction engine 402 may check        if the optical lens covers all the projection sources or if the        optical lens is set to a position parallel with the device. If        yes, the flow goes to step 912; otherwise, the flow goes to step        908.    -   Step 908: The image distortion correction engine 402 performs        the image distortion correction operation.    -   Step 910: The notification circuit 405 controls the electronic        device 101 to show the projection notice PN.    -   Step 912: End.

In step 904, if an incorrect setting that causes a fail projection (forexample, the lens included in the optical set OS is set to a positionthat tilts too much, which makes the projection source PS not able to beprojected on the first cover C1 via the lens), or an incorrect settingwhich means the user cannot observe the projected image PI correctly isdetected, the notification circuit 405 may further control theelectronic device 101 (e.g. a projection source component PSC or aspeaker of the electronic device 101) to display, project or generatethe projection notice PN for notifying the user. Provided that theresult is substantially the same, the steps shown in FIG. 9 are notrequired to be executed in the exact order shown.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a scenario related to a workingcondition of the image segmentation engine 403 according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, when acomplexity of a background of the projection source PS is higher than athreshold value TH1 to check if the background of the projection sourcePS is too complicated, the image segmentation engine 403 separates theprojection source PS from the background. In some other embodiments, anyother method may be utilized to check if the background of theprojection source PS is too complicated, which should not be limited inthis disclosure. Then the image segmentation engine 403 fills thebackground with a plain color, wherein a contrast value between theplain color of the background and a color of the projection source PSmay be controlled to be higher than a threshold value TH2. In this way,the background is suitable for user observation. FIG. 11 is a diagramillustrating a scenario related to a working condition of the imagesegmentation engine 403 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 11, the complexity of the background is nothigher than the threshold value TH1, so the image segmentation engine403 may not separate the projection source PS from the background. Theimage segmentation engine 403 may further fill the background with aplain color such that the contrast value between the color of theprojection source PS and the plain color of the background is controlledto be higher than the threshold value TH2. In this way, the backgroundis suitable for user observation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an image segmentation operationperformed by the image segmentation engine 403 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The flow in FIG. 12 is described asfollows.

-   -   Step 1200: Start.    -   Step 1202: The user may enable the projection display mode.    -   Step 1204: The image segmentation engine 403 analyzes the        content of the projection source PS according to side        information generated from a camera, depth sensor or algorithm,        etc.    -   Step 1206: The image segmentation engine 403 checks if the        background is suitable for user observing. If yes, the flow goes        to step 1214; otherwise, the flow goes to step 1208.    -   Step 1208: The image segmentation engine 403 performs an image        segmentation operation.    -   Step 1210: The image segmentation engine 403 checks if the image        segmentation operation succeeds. If yes, the flow goes to step        1214; otherwise, the flow goes to step 1212.    -   Step 1212: The notification circuit 405 controls the electronic        device 101 to show the projection notice PN.    -   Step 1214: End.

In step 1206, The image segmentation engine 403 checks if the complexityof the background is higher than the threshold value TH1, and checks ifthe contrast value between the color of the background and the color ofthe projection source PS is sufficient to determine whether to performthe image segmentation operation. In step 1210, when the imagesegmentation engine 403 detects a segmentation failure (for example,after the segmentation, the complexity of the background is still higherthan the threshold value TH1 which means the user may not observe theprojected image PI clearly), the notification circuit 405 controls theelectronic device 101 (particularly, a projection source component PSCof the electronic device 101) to display or project the projectionnotice PN for notifying the user. Provided that the result issubstantially the same, the steps shown in FIG. 12 are not required tobe executed in the exact order shown. For example, the projection noticePN may be displayed or projected by the projection source component PSCof the electronic device 101 after any step in FIG. 12 when amalfunction of the projection display component 100 occurs or any otherfactor causes a fail projection.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an image enhancement operationperformed by the image enhancement engine 404 according to an embodimentof the present invention. The flow in FIG. 13 is described as follows.

-   -   Step 1300: Start.    -   Step 1302: The image enhancement engine 404 checks if the        brightness of the projection source PS is lower than a threshold        value TH3. If yes, the flow goes to step 1304; otherwise, the        flow goes to step 1306.    -   Step 1304: The image enhancement engine 404 increases the        brightness of the projection source PS.    -   Step 1306: The image enhancement engine 404 checks if a        difference between the brightness of the background and the        brightness of the projection source PS is lower than a threshold        value TH4. If yes, the flow goes to step 1308; otherwise, the        flow goes to step 1310.    -   Step 1308: The image enhancement engine 404 increases the        contrast by, for example, decreasing the brightness of the        background.    -   Step 1310: The image enhancement engine 404 checks if a        similarity between an ambient light and the color of projection        source PS is higher than a threshold value TH5. If yes, the flow        goes to step 1312; otherwise, the flow goes to step 1314.    -   Step 1312: The notification circuit 405 controls the electronic        device 101 to show the projection notice PN.    -   Step 1314: End.

In this embodiment, the image enhancement engine 404 may adjust thebrightness of the projection source PS and/or the brightness of thebackground. In step 1310, if the similarity between the color of theambient light and the color of the projection source PS is higher thanthe threshold value TH5, the notification circuit 405 controls theelectronic device 101 (particularly, a projection source component PSCof the electronic device 101) to display or project the projectionnotice PN for notifying the user. In this embodiment, the ambient lightcan be detected by a red/green/blue (RGB) light sensor installed in theelectronic device 101. Provided that the result is substantially thesame, the steps shown in FIG. 13 are not required to be executed in theexact order shown. For example, the projection notice PN may bedisplayed or projected by the projection source component PSC of theelectronic device 101 after any step in FIG. 13 when a malfunction ofthe projection display component 100 occurs or any other factor causes afail projection.

In one embodiment, the projection source PS can be divided into foursegments on the projection source component PSC of the electronic device101, so the projected image PI can be seen from four differentviewpoints, wherein these four segments is processed by the projectionprocessor 300 in parallel. It should be noted that the number ofsegments is only for illustrative purpose, not a limitation of thepresent invention. To have the information of the video view number, inone embodiment, the view number is derived from H.264's SupplementalEnhancement Information (SEI) transmitted from a transmitter.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data processing system 1400employing the projection processor 300 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The data processing system 1400 may be part of anelectronic device such as a mobile phone. The data processing system1400 may comprise at least one of a sensor 1401 (e.g. an image sensor),an image signal processor (ISP) 1402, an image encoder 1403, an imagedecoder 1404, a video encoder 1405, a video decoder 1406, a graphicengine 1407, a battery meter 1408, a battery 1409, a micro control unit(MCU) 1410, a display processor 1411, a driver integrated circuit (IC)1412, a projection source component 1413 and the aforementionedprojection processor 300. The projection processor 300 receives theinput image II from the display processor 1411 for a plurality ofapplications, and generates the output image OI to the driver IC 1412.The driver IC 1412 drives the projection source component 1413 such thatthe projection source PS is displayed or projected by the projectionsource component 1413 according to the output image OI. The otherexemplary embodiments of the plurality of applications of the projectionprocessor 300 installed in the data processing system 1400 will bediscussed later.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment related to a photographapplication for the projection processor 300 installed in the dataprocessing system 1400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14. As shownin FIG. 15, when a projection display mode is enabled by the user andthe electronic device 101 is used for taking photographs, the sensor1401 may transmit the captured image into the ISP 1402 for processing,and the ISP 1402 may transmit the processed image to the image encoder1403 so it can be stored in an external storage device, and may alsotransmit it to the display processor 1411. The display processor 1411may perform additional image processing (e.g. scaling, rotation) uponthe processed image generated from the ISP 1402 to generate the inputimage II to the projection processor 300 where it can undergo thepredetermined processing operation described above for projection. Theprojection processor generates the output image OI. The projectionsource PS is displayed or projected by the projection source component1413 according to the output image OI.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment for a recordingapplication for the projection processor 300 installed in the dataprocessing system 1400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14. As shownin FIG. 16, when a projection display mode is enabled by the user andthe electronic device 101 is used for video recording, the sensor 1401may transmit a video sequence composed of a plurality of successivecaptured images to the ISP 1402 for processing. The ISP 1402 may thentransmit the processed video sequence to the video encoder 1405 where itcan be stored in an external storage device, and may also transmit it tothe display processor 1411. The display processor 1411 may performadditional image processing (e.g. scaling, rotation) upon each capturedimage included in the processed video sequence generated from the ISP1402 to generate the input image II to the projection processor 300 soit can undergo the predetermined processing operation described abovefor projection. The projection processor 300 generates the output imageOI. The projection source PS is displayed or projected by the projectionsource component 1413 according to the output image OI.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment related to a videoplayback application for the projection processor 300 installed in thedata processing system 1400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14. Asshown in FIG. 17, when a projection display mode is enabled by the userand the electronic device 101 is used for video playback, the videodecoder 1406 may transmit a video sequence composed of successivedecoded images to the display processor 1411 by decoding a videosequence composed of successive encoded images read from an externalstorage device. The display processor 1411 may perform additional imageprocessing (e.g. scaling, rotation) upon each image included in thedecoded video sequence to generate the input image II to the projectionprocessor 300 so it can undergo the predetermined processing operationdescribed above for projection. The projection processor 300 generatesthe output image OI. The projection source PS is displayed or projectedby the projection source component 1413 according to the output imageOI.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment related to a gamingapplication for the projection processor 300 installed in the dataprocessing system 1400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14. As shownin FIG. 18, the graphic engine 1407 may generate a graphic image of agame to the display processor 1411. The display processor 1411 mayperform additional image processing (e.g. scaling, rotation) upon thegraphic image to generate the input image II to the projection processor300 so it can undergo the predetermined processing operation describedabove for projection. The projection processor 300 generates the outputimage OI. The projection source PS is displayed on the projection sourcecomponent 1413 according to the output image OI.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment related to a galleryapplication for the projection processor 300 installed in the dataprocessing system 1400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14. As shownin FIG. 19, the image decoder 1404 may generate a decoded image to thedisplay processor 1411 by decoding an encoded image read from anexternal storage device. The display processor 1411 may performadditional image processing (e.g. scaling, rotation) upon the decodedimage to generate the input image II to the projection processor 300 soit can undergo the predetermined processing operation described abovefor projection. The projection processor generates the output image OI.The projection source PS is displayed or projected by the projectionsource component 1413 according to the output image OI.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

1. A projection processor, comprising: a receiving circuit, arranged toreceive an input image; and an image processing circuit, arranged toperform at least one predetermined image processing operation upon theinput image to generate an output image, wherein a projection source isgenerated according to the output image; wherein the projection sourceis displayed or projected by a projection source component of anelectronic device, such that a first cover of a projection displaycomponent partially reflects the projection source.
 2. The projectionprocessor of claim 1, wherein the first cover comprises: at least onenon-opaque plate, arranged to partially reflects the projection source,such that a projected image is shown on or behind the at least onenon-opaque plate.
 3. The projection processor of claim 1, wherein theimage processing circuit comprises an image flip engine, and thepredetermined image processing operation comprises an image flipoperation controlled by the image flip engine.
 4. The projectionprocessor of claim 3, wherein the image flip engine performs the imageflip operation to ensure that an orientation of the projected imagematches an orientation of the input image or the projected image isshown on or behind the first cover with a correct orientation.
 5. Theprojection processor of claim 3, wherein the image flip engine performsthe image flip operation when an orientation of the projected image isnot identical with the input image or the projected image is shown on orbehind the first cover with an incorrect orientation.
 6. The projectionprocessor of claim 1, wherein the image processing circuit comprises animage distortion correction engine, and the predetermined imageprocessing operation comprises an image distortion correction operationcontrolled by the image distortion correction engine.
 7. The projectionprocessor of claim 6, wherein the image distortion correction engineperforms the image distortion correction operation to correct anappearance of the projection source when only a portion of theprojection source is projected through a lens.
 8. The projectionprocessor of claim 6, wherein the image distortion correction engineperforms the image distortion correction operation when the optical lensis not parallel with the electronic device.
 9. The projection processorof claim 1, wherein the image processing circuit comprises an imagesegmentation engine, and the predetermined image processing operationcomprises an image segmentation operation controlled by the imagesegmentation engine.
 10. The projection processor of claim 9, whereinthe image segmentation engine separates the projection source from abackground of the projection source and fills the background with aplain color.
 11. The projection processor of claim 9, wherein the imagesegmentation engine performs the image segmentation operation when abackground corresponding to the projection source is not suitable forobserving.
 12. The projection processor of claim 1, wherein the imageprocessing circuit comprises an image enhancement engine, and thepredetermined image processing operation comprises an image enhancementoperation controlled by the image enhancement engine.
 13. The projectionprocessor of claim 12, wherein the image enhancement engine performs theimage enhancement operation when brightness of the projection source islower than a first threshold or a difference between brightness ofbackground and brightness of the projection source is lower than asecond threshold value.
 14. A projection method employed by a projectionprocessor, comprising: receiving an input image; and performing at leastone predetermined image processing operation upon the input image togenerate an output image, wherein a projection source is generatedaccording to the output image; wherein the projection source isdisplayed or projected by a projection source component of an electronicdevice, such that a first cover of a projection display componentpartially reflects the projection source.
 15. The projection method ofclaim 14, wherein the first cover comprises at least one non-opaqueplate arranged to partially reflects the projection source, such that aprojected image is shown on or behind the at least one non-opaque plate.16. The projection method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined imageprocessing operation comprises an image flip operation.
 17. Theprojection method of claim 16, wherein the image flip operationcomprises: flipping the input image to ensure that an orientation of theprojected image matches an orientation of the input image or theprojected image is shown on or behind the first cover with a correctorientation.
 18. The projection method of claim 16, wherein the imageflip operation is performed when an orientation of the projected imageis not identical with the input image or the projected image is shown onor behind the first cover with an incorrect orientation.
 19. Theprojection method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined imageprocessing operation comprises an image distortion correction operation.20. The projection method of claim 19, wherein the image distortioncorrection operation is performed to correct an appearance of theprojection source when only a portion of the projection source isprojected through a lens.
 21. The projection method of claim 19, whereinthe image distortion correction operation is performed when the opticallens is not parallel with the electronic device.
 22. The projectionmethod of claim 14, wherein the predetermined image processing operationcomprises an image segmentation operation.
 23. The projection method ofclaim 22, wherein the image segmentation operation comprising:separating the projection source from a background the projection sourceand fills the background with a plain color.
 24. The projection methodof claim 22, wherein the image segmentation operation is performed whena background corresponding to the projection source is not suitable forobserving.
 25. The projection method of claim 14, wherein thepredetermined image processing operation comprises an image enhancementoperation.
 26. The projection method of claim 25, wherein the imageenhancement operation is performed when brightness of the projectionsource is lower than a first threshold or a difference betweenbrightness of background and brightness of the projection source islower than a second threshold value.